Ride De Maharashtra

Monsoons unlock a whole new aura of green and serenity in Maharashtra – like the “green saturation” has been turned to a 100%.

In spite of the recent intense rains which has crippled life in some regions of this beautiful state – we were welcomed with stunning vistas, impeccable roads and the sweetest people who truly personify ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, a Sanskrit verse that translates to ‘consider the guest as god’.

View from Sajjangad Fort of the road leading to Thoseghar Falls!!

Motorcycles:

KTM Duke 390 on MSH 4

Triumph Daytona 675 R on MSH 4

Day 1: Bangalore > Belgaum > Amboli Ghat  > Sawantwadi

• Distance: 605 kms
• Stay: Hotel Renuka Palace, Sawantwadi @ 1260 INR/night/room (Non-AC)
• Parking for motorcycles: Sheltered parking within hotel premises

Must-do Things:

• Soak-in the beautiful landscape of Western Ghats laced with mist, waterfalls and the twisty-roads of the Amboli Ghat
• Belt delicious chaats in Sawantwadi coupled with a lazy stroll around the lake within the town

Amboli Ghat

Day 2: Sawantwadi > Malvan > Kudal > Ratnagiri (via MSH 4 aka Maharashtra State Highway 4)

• Distance: 201 kms
• Stay: Mango Villa, Ratnagiri @ 1600 INR/night/room (Non-AC)
• Parking for motorcycles: Sheltered parking within homestay

Must-do Things:

• Ride the MSH 4 – Ditch the NH 66 and take this state highway that offers pristine views of the landscape and beaches along the route
• Savor delicious food at Hotel Amantran, Ratnagiri (My personal favorite being the meal-thali)
• Visit the Ratnagiri Fort (south-side to go inside the Lighthouse) – Ratnagiri Lighthouse allows visitors to enter the Lighthouse for public between 4 pm to 6 pm

MSH 4 – Ride along the coast from Malvan to Ratnagiri

Aamras Thali at Hotel Amantran Ratnagiri

Day 3: Ratnagiri > Devrukh > Marleshwar > Amba Ghat > Panhala > Kolhapur

• Distance: 180 kms
• Stay: Digvijay Residency, Kolhapur (AirBnB) @ 900 INR/night/room (Non-AC)
• Parking for motorcycles: Sheltered parking within the house

Must-do Things:

• En-route to Marleshwar Falls – Imagine looking at about 30+ waterfalls in a single frame!!
• Ride through Amba Ghat – beautiful twisty road best relished only on a motorcycle!!
• Visit Panhala Fort, one of the largest forts in the Deccan region

Serene Village near Devrukh – En-route Marleshwar Falls

Marleshwar Falls

Amba Ghat

Day 4: Kolhapur > Sajjangad Fort > Thoseghar Falls > Satara > Wai > Panchgani > Mahabaleshwar

• Distance: 235 kms
• Stay: Hirkani Garden Resort, Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani road @ 1000 INR/night/room (Non-AC)
• Parking for motorcycles: Sheltered parking within the resort

Must-do Things:

• Visit Sajjangad Fort and Thoseghar Falls
• Bun-maska and chai at Lucky Bakery, Panchgani

En-route Sajjangad Fort

Mota Dabdabba – Thoseghar Falls

Chota Dabdabba – Thoseghar Falls

Bun Maska Chai at Lucky Bakery Panchgani

Day 5: Mahabaleshwar > Poladpur > Varandh Ghat > Bhor > Lonavala

• Distance: 235 kms
• Stay: Ferreira Resort, Lonavala @ 1000 INR/night/room (Non-AC)
• Parking for motorcycles: Sheltered parking within the resort

Must-do Things:

• Varandh Ghat – the most scenic ghat I have ever visited, but laced with the most-horrible roads (worth the scenery)
• Relish Dryfruit, soft Chikkis at Maganlal and Chocolate Fudge at Cooper’s at Lonavala

Varandh Ghat – the most scenic ghat I have ever seen in South India!!

Viewpoint at Varandh Ghat

Day 6: Lonavala > Karjat > Mhasa > Malshej Ghat > Alephata > Pune

• Distance: 270 kms
• Stay: We were hosted by our dear friend Alok in Pune

Must-do Things:

• En-route to Malshej – brilliant roads and vistas
• Stopover at MTDC Malshej for tea and snacks with stunning views of Malshej Ghat (if the mist obliges: D)

En-route Malshej Ghat near Mhasa

Malshej Ghat – Maharashtra

Forest Canopy – Bhimashankar Wildlife Reserve Forest

Day 7 & 8: Pune – to rejuvenate the motorcycles and ourselves

We revelled with delicious foods @ Puneri Misal at Bedekar Tea Stall and Bun Mask Chai, Kheema Pav at Café GoodLuck, Kalyan Bhel, Marz-o-rin and Kayani Bakery.

Puneri Misal at Bedekar Tea Stall Pune

Bun Omlette Cheese at Cafe Goodluck Pune

Day 9: Pune > Bangalore

The most boring part of the ride, since our Maharashtra Ride was over and the arrow-straight National Highway (NH48/AH47) added to our woes.

Total distance covered during the Maharashtra Ride: 3000 kms

MSH 4 – Malvan to Ratnagiri

I truly believe that the monsoons are the best time to visit Maharashtra, everything is so enchanting, full of life and devoid of the tourist-rush.

Thank you for the wonderful hospitality and hosting us and our motorcycles!!